Our Staff
Bridget D. Burkholder
Owner/Instructor
Miss Bridget graduated from Ligonier Valley High School and still resides in her hometown. Bridget has over 30 years of performing arts experience in ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, gymnastics, lyrical, baton, silks, creative movement, hip hop, pom pom, cheerleading, theater and coaching modeling. Miss Burkholder has been teaching dance in Ligonier for over 20 years. Bridget has an Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Enhanced Early Childhood Education through Creative Expression from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Her students have won Diamond, Platinum, High Gold, Gold, High Silver, and Silver awards, as well as top ten and 1st overall placements in Regional, State and National Dance Competitions. Miss Bridget's choreography has been awarded Best Choreography and Most Entertaining. Her students have received scholarships to workshops, intensives as well as Grand Finals. Starz Team students have also earned Dancer of the Year awards. Bridget has been involved in Ligonier's Theatre Community performing with the Hollow Tree and Valley Players, serving on the Valley Players Artistic Board for a season. She has choreographed both plays and musicals for the Ligonier Valley High School as well as choreographing for the Valley Players. Students as well as herself were auditioned and accepted to perform in Elite Dance the Magic Parades in both Disneyland and Disney World. Bridget Dawn's Studio students were in the Nationally televised Disney Parade in 2012 on ABC, a Diamond Disneyland parade in 2015 and in 2019 performed on the Nemo Stage in Animal Kingdom as well as in a parade down Main St. in the Magic Kingdom.
Carrie Ellis
Instructor
Carrie has over 15 years of performing arts experience in ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, acro, lyrical, contemporary, hip hop, musical theatre and pom pom. When she was a student at Bridget Dawn's Studio, Miss Carrie was a member of the BDS Starz Team earning many top ten and several 1st overall placements. Carrie was also a BDS student teacher and a BDS Starz Team Co-Captain. Her students have won Double Platinum, Platinum, High Gold and Gold awards, and have earned several top and 1st overall placements. Her choreography has been awarded Most Entertaining as well. We're happy to welcome Miss Carrie back for her eighth year teaching at Bridget Dawn's Studio!
Grace Koontz
Receptionist/BDS Seamstress
Grace began her drama experience performing in church plays and Derry High School musicals. She has 30 years of experience in directing students of all ages in plays and musicals. She has been active directing at church camps, conferences and Ligonier Valley High School. Grace is currently employed full time as an R.N. We're happy to have Miss Grace back for her 21st season with Bridget Dawn's Studio.
Rob Burkholder
BDS Greeter
Rob began taking acro and dance with his sister when he was young, took a few years off and then returned to dancing joining the competition team when he realized the cross benefits it was having in sports. Becoming disabled in a car accident in 2001 hasn't stopped him from sports or dancing. He is part of the BDS competition team and looks forward to greeting the students and their families for his 21st season with Bridget Dawn's Studio.
Sarah Corridoni
Accountant/Receptionist
Sarah has been with BDS since 2003. She works full time in Murrysville and as a mom of a 12 year old son and 19 year old daughter. Both of her children have been involved at the studio and when she has time she enjoys taking the adult classes. Sarah also participated as a dancer in the 2015 Disneyland Diamond Parade with BDS.
Lisa Sowers
Receptionist
Lisa has been a part of the Bridget Dawn's Studio since 2006 when her oldest daughter began taking classes in preschool. Seventeen years later, her oldest daughter is a BDS alum and her youngest, 17 years old, takes classes at BDS. Along with being a mom Lisa works full time as a teacher at Laurel Valley Elementary School. She has taken dance classes in junior high as well as adult samplers at BDS.
Cathy Rolling
BDS Cleaner
Cathy (aka Dance Nanny) has been a part of the Bridget Dawn's Studio family since 2006 when her granddaughter began taking classes in preschool. She is retired, but we are so happy she is helping us at the studio and at competitions.
